Josh McCown “needs work’ and Jets are ready to give it to him

Though Todd Bowles declined to name a starter for Saturday’s preseason game in Detroit, the Jets coach confirmed Josh McCown will be featured in the second exhibition game. McCown and Hackenberg split reps with the first team during Thursday’s practice, and it is expected that the 38-year-old veteran will make another start, while Hackenberg will likely sees more snaps.

McCown played just nine snaps in the 7-3 win over the Titans, completing 3-of-4 passes for 72 yards.

“He needs practice and he needs some preseason,” Bowles said. “I don’t think he needs to go every game, all four quarters and everything like that, but he’ll play. He needs work.”

After watching Hackenberg go 18-of-25 for 127 yards in the preseason opener, Bowles said he wanted to see the second-year quarterback take more shots downfield, if the opportunity is available, and hopes the team will be able to run a two-minute drill.

“I want to see him do his job,” Bowles said of Hackenberg. “I don’t want him forcing anything. We have plays built in to throw downfield. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out, but we do have plays in for him to throw downfield, for all of them to throw downfield.”

Bilal Powell [neck] will suit up for Saturday’s game, but fellow running back Matt Forte (hamstring) will be out again, having been unable to practice all week. LB Lorenzo Mauldin (back) also will not play after missing Thursday’s practice. WR Marquess Wilson (hip) missed his second straight practice, along with WR Dan Williams (concussion).

WR Quincy Enunwa, who watched Thursday’s practice, will have surgery next week, after suffering a season-ending neck injury. Bowles reiterated that the injury to the team’s top receiver isn’t considered career-threatening.

When the solar eclipse hits Monday, the Jets will be ready.

Since the phenomenon will occur during the team’s practice Monday afternoon, Bowles said the team may move practice to the indoor field house, or turn on the lights on the team’s outdoor field.